Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 ADJUSTABLE TABLE APPARATUS AND METHOD
2 TECHNICAL FIELD
3 This disclosure relates to an adjustable table apparatus and method,
including for
4 example a table apparatus that is adjustable from an operative position
to a collapsed position.
BACKGROUND
6 Adjustable table are often used in flexible spaces in a manner that
allows the space to be
7 customized according to a user's needs. For example, adjustable tables
can be deployed in a first
8 arrangement in a flexible office space to serve as a conference setting,
and then such tables can
9 be adjusted to a second position for transport and storage so that the
flexible office space is
customized to a different configuration. Some prior art table systems employ a
collapsible table
11 in which the legs of the table can be adjusted from an upright
orientation (e.g., for use when the
12 table is deployed) to collapsed position in which the table legs are
folded toward a lower surface
13 of the table. In such circumstances, each collapsible table can be
adjusted to the collapsed
14 position and manually carried away for storage. Other prior art table
systems employ a flip top
table in which the tabletop surface can be adjusted from a generally
horizontal orientation (e.g.,
16 for use when the table is deployed) to a generally vertical orientation
(e.g., for use when the table
17 is being stored). In some flip top table systems, the table legs are
cylindrical tubes extending
18 toward the ground surface that are movable relative to one another prior
to adjusting the tabletop
19 surface to the generally vertical orientation. Other flip top table
systems employ table legs that
rest on the ground surface and are maintained in the same fixed position
relative to one another
21 both when the tabletop surface is in the generally horizontal
orientation and in the generally
22 vertical orientation.
23 SUMMARY
24 Some embodiments of an adjustable table apparatus can include a table
configured to
adjust between an operative position and a collapsed position while safely
maintaining the
26 balance of the table during such adjustment and during transport. In
particular versions, the table
27 can be equipped with movable fascia members along an underside of the
tabletop. Such movable
28 fascia members may be arranged in a first orientation to enhance an
aesthetic and sleek
29 appearance of the table (while in the operative position) and can
readily shift to a second
CPST Doc: 356608.1 1
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 orientation in response to movement of a corresponding one of the table
legs (during adjustment
2 of the table to the collapsed position). In particular embodiments, the
adjustable table apparatus
3 can be equipped with at least two movable legs that extend to the ground
surface and are
4 configured to swing outwardly away from one another (during adjustment of
the table to the
collapsed position). Each of the movable legs may include a swing arm having a
multiple-bend
6 configuration in a plane parallel to the tabletop surface (in the
operative position), which can
7 facilitate interaction with the movable fascia, can improve symmetry and
positioning of the table
8 legs when the table is in the operative position, can achieve an offset
position of the table legs to
9 desirably maintain the balance of the table apparatus when the table is
adjusted to the collapsed
position, or a combination thereof.
11 Various embodiments described herein include an adjustable table
apparatus. The
12 apparatus may comprise a tabletop including an upper surface and a lower
surface, and the
13 tabletop can be movable about a tabletop hinge axis such that the upper
surface of the tabletop
14 extends in a horizontal orientation when the table apparatus is in an
operative position and the
upper surface of the tabletop extends in a vertical orientation when the table
apparatus is in a
16 collapsed position. The apparatus may also comprise a pair of fixed legs
mounted in a fixed
17 position relative to the tabletop hinge axis, and the pair of fixed legs
can be configured to extend
18 to a ground surface for supporting the tabletop. The apparatus may
further comprise a first
19 movable leg that is pivotable about a first vertical axis relative to
both the tabletop and the fixed
legs and that includes a first vertical leg portion configured to extend to
the ground surface for
21 supporting the tabletop. Optionally, the first movable leg can include a
first horizontal dual-bend
22 swing arm extending in a horizontal plane from the first vertical axis
to the first vertical leg
23 portion. The apparatus may also include a second movable leg that is
pivotable about a second
24 vertical axis relative to both the tabletop and the fixed legs and that
includes a second vertical leg
portion configured to extend to the ground surface for supporting the
tabletop. The second
26 movable leg can optionally include a second horizontal dual-bend swing
arm extending in a
27 horizontal plane from the second vertical axis to the second vertical
leg portion.
28 Other embodiments of an adjustable table apparatus are also described
herein. The table
29 apparatus may include a tabletop having an upper surface and a lower
surface, and the tabletop
can be pivotable about a horizontal axis such that the upper surface of the
tabletop extends in a
CPST Doc: 356608.1 2
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 horizontal orientation when the table apparatus is in an operative
position and the upper surface
2 of the tabletop extends in a vertical orientation when the table
apparatus in a collapsed position.
3 The table apparatus may also include first and second fixed legs arranged
in a fixed position
4 relative to the horizontal axis and configured to support the tabletop
over a floor surface. The
table apparatus may further include a first adjustable leg that is movable
about a first vertical axis
6 relative to the first and second fixed legs. The first adjustable leg can
include a first distal arm
7 segment spaced apart from the first vertical axis, and the first distal
arm segment has a first
8 longitudinal axis extending in a horizontal plane. The first adjustable
leg can also include a first
9 vertical leg portion joined with the first distal arm, and first vertical
leg portion can be
configured to extend vertically toward the floor surface. Optionally, the
first longitudinal axis of
11 the first distal arm may extend parallel to the horizontal axis when the
tabletop is in the vertical
12 orientation. The table apparatus may further include a second adjustable
leg that is movable
13 about a second vertical axis relative to the first and second fixed
legs. The second adjustable leg
14 may include a second distal arm segment spaced apart from the second
vertical axis, and the
second distal arm segment may have a second longitudinal axis extending in the
horizontal
16 plane. The second adjustable leg may also include a second vertical leg
portion joined with the
17 second distal arm, and the second vertical leg portion can be configured
to extend vertically
18 toward the floor surface. Optionally, the second longitudinal axis of
the second distal arm may
19 extend parallel to the horizontal axis when the tabletop is in the
vertical orientation.
Some embodiments described herein provide a method that includes pivoting a
first
21 movable leg of an adjustable table apparatus about a first vertical axis
away from a second
22 movable leg while a tabletop of the adjustable table apparatus extends
in a horizontal orientation.
23 The method may optionally include, in response to said pivoting the
first movable leg, shifting a
24 first movable fascia hingedly mounted to the lower surface of the
tabletop from a displayed
orientation to a collapsed orientation. Also, the method may include pivoting
the second
26 movable leg about a second vertical axis away from the first movable
leg. The method may
27 optionally include, in response to said pivoting the second movable leg,
shifting a second
28 movable fascia hingedly mounted to the lower surface of the tabletop
from a displayed
29 orientation to a collapsed orientation. Further, the method may include,
after shifting the
optional first and second movable fascia, pivoting the tabletop about a
horizontal hinge axis so
CPST Doc: 356608.1 3
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 that an upper surface of the tabletop moves to a vertical orientation and
a pair of fixed vertical
2 leg portions of the adjustable table apparatus is positioned on a first
side of the tabletop while
3 first and second vertical leg portions of the first and second movable
legs are positioned on a
4 second side of the tabletop opposite from the first side of the
tabletop..
These and other embodiments described herein may optionally provide one or
more of
6 the following benefits. First, some embodiments of the adjustable table
apparatus can be
7 configured to readily and safely shift between operative and collapsed
positions by a single user
8 during rearrangement, for example, in a flexible space. As such, the user
can individually shift
9 each of the movable legs of the adjustable table apparatus and also shift
the orientation of the
tabletop for use as a table (in the operative position) or for simplified
transport and storage (in
11 the collapsed position).
12 Second, some embodiments of the table apparatus described herein may
provide an
13 arrangement of table legs and fascia along the underside of the tabletop
to achieve a selective
14 aesthetic appearance suitable, for example, as a formal conference
table. In particular
embodiments, the optional fascia members can be oriented to provide a selected
sleek
16 appearance while advantageously concealing some mechanical components of
the table
17 apparatus and avoiding interference with users' legs during use, and
some or all of the fascia
18 members can be movable relative to the tabletop to provide clearance for
the swing arms of the
19 movable table legs during adjustment of the table apparatus to the
collapsed position.
Third, some embodiments of the table apparatus can employ the movable legs
having a
21 dual-bend configuration in a plane parallel to the ground surface, which
optionally provides
22 beneficial functions during use of the table. For example, the shape and
structure of the movable
23 legs can be configured to abut with a corresponding one of the movable
fascia members to
24 thereby drive the movement of the fascia member during adjusted of the
table apparatus. Also,
the shape and structure of the movable leg can improve symmetry and
positioning of the
26 viewable portions of the movable legs that extend to the ground surface.
Additionally, the shape
27 and structure of the movable legs can be configured in a manner that
positions a first pair of feet
28 on a first side of the tabletop and a second pair of feet on a second
side of the tabletop while the
29 table apparatus is in the collapsed position, thereby achieving a safe
balance of the table
apparatus during transport or storage.
CPST Doc: 356608.1 4
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 Fourth, some embodiments of the table can be particular suited for
nesting with other
2 tables when in the collapsed position. For example, the movable legs of
the table apparatus can
3 be swung to an outer position (when the table is in the collapsed
position) to provide sufficient
4 clearance for the fixed legs of another neighboring table when such
tables are nested together
during storage.
6 The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and
7 the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be
apparent from the
8 following description and drawings, and from the claims.
9 DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. lA is a perspective view of an adjustable table apparatus in an operative
position, in
11 accordance with particular embodiments.
12 FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the adjustable table apparatus of
FIG. 1A adjusted to a
13 collapsed position.
14 FIG. 1C is another perspective view of the adjustable table apparatus
of FIG. 1A adjusted
to the collapsed position.
16 FIG. 2A is a bottom view of the adjustable table apparatus of FIG. lA
in the operative
17 position.
18 FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the adjustable table apparatus of FIG. 2A
adjusted to the
19 storage position.
FIG. 3A is a bottom view of the adjustable table apparatus of FIG. lA (having
some
21 components removed from view for illustrative purposes), with the
tabletop in a generally
22 horizontal orientation.
23 FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the adjustable table apparatus of
FIG. 3A.
24 FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable table apparatus of
FIG. 3A, with some
components removed from view.
26 FIG. 3D is a perspective view of a selected portion of the adjustable
table apparatus of
27 FIG. 3B.
28 FIG. 4A is a bottom view of the adjustable table apparatus of FIG. 3A,
with the movable
29 legs being adjusted to an intermediate position.
CPST Doc: 356608.1 5
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the adjustable table apparatus of
FIG. 4A.
2 FIG. 5A is a bottom view of the adjustable table apparatus of FIG. 3A,
with the movable
3 legs being adjusted to an outer position.
4 FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the adjustable table apparatus of
FIG. 5A.
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the adjustable table apparatus of FIG. 5B,
with the
6 tabletop being adjusted to an intermediate orientation.
7 FIG. 6B is a top view of the adjustable table apparatus of FIG. 6A.
8 FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the adjustable table apparatus of
FIG. 6A, with the
9 tabletop being adjusted to a generally vertical orientation.
FIG. 7B is a top view of the adjustable table apparatus of FIG. 6A
11 Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
12 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
13 Referring now to FIGS. 1A-C, an adjustable table apparatus 100 can be
configured to
14 shift from an operative position (FIG. 1A) to a collapsed position,
which may be suitable for
transport or storage (FIGS. 1B-C). In particular implementations, the table
apparatus 100 is
16 configured to nest with one or more adjacent table apparatuses 100' when
arranged in the
17 collapsed position, as shown for example in FIGS. 1B-1C. The table
apparatus 100 can be
18 equipped with a tabletop 110, one or more fixed legs 130, and one or
more movable legs 150.
19 The tabletop 110 includes an upper surface 112 and a lower surface 114,
and the tabletop 110 is
configured to be adjusted by a user from a horizontal orientation (e.g., in
which the upper surface
21 112 is generally level with the floor) when the table apparatus 100 is
in the operative position
22 (FIG. 1A) to a vertical orientation (e.g., in which the upper surface
112 is generally
23 perpendicular to the floor) when the table apparatus 100 is in a
collapsed position (FIGS. 1B-
24 1C).
In this embodiment, the table apparatus 100 includes a pair of fixed legs 130
and a pair of
26 movable legs 150. The fixed legs 130 are mounted in a fixed position
relative to the tabletop
27 hinge axis 115 (refer FIGS. 2A-B), and in this embodiment, are connected
to one another via a
28 support beam 135 (FIG. 1C). The fixed legs 130 include fixed vertical
leg portions 132 that are
29 configured to extend toward the floor, thereby providing mechanical
support for the tabletop 110
CPST Doc: 356608.1 6
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 when the table apparatus 100 is in the operative position (FIG. 1A). As
described in more detail
2 below, each movable leg 150 is pivotable about a corresponding vertical
axis 155 (refer to FIG.
3 2A) so that the movable leg 150 can be pivoted outwardly away from the
opposing movable leg
4 150. Also, in this embodiment, each movable leg 150 includes a vertical
leg portion 152 and a
multiple-bend swing arm 154, which (as detailed below) may optionally extend
in a horizontal
6 plane from the vertical axis to connect with the respective vertical leg
portion 152 of the movable
7 leg 150.
8 Still referring to FIGS. 1A-C, the table apparatus 100 may include
movable fascia 170
9 that are movably mounted relative to an underside of the tabletop 110 and
are configured to shift
between a collapsed orientation (e.g., refer to FIG. 1C and 5B) and a
displayed orientation (e.g.,
11 refer to FIG. 3B). For example, the movable fascia 170 can be hingedly
mounted along the
12 lower surface 114 of the tabletop110, an each movable fascia 170 can be
adjusted from the
13 displayed orientation to the collapsed orientation in response to a
pivoting motion of the adjacent
14 movable leg 150 outwardly away from the other movable leg 150.
Additionally, the table
apparatus may optionally include at least one fixed fascia 180 that do not
shift to collapsed
16 orientations. For example a first fixed fascia 180 can be fixedly
mounted relative to the
17 underside of the tabletop 110. A second fixed fascia 180 can be mounted
to, or integral with, the
18 support beam 135 extending between the fixed legs 130. Optionally, the
fixed fascia 180 can
19 include electrical connection sockets 107 mounted thereto. When the
table apparatus 100 is in its
operative position, the outwardly facing surfaces of the movable fascia 170
and the fixed fascia
21 180 are displayed in an orientation below the lower surface 114 of the
tabletop 110 to provide a
22 selective aesthetic appearance and to at least partially conceal from
(upper or side views) other
23 components of the table apparatus 100 arranged between the fascia 170
and 180 along the
24 underside of the tabletop 110.
In some optional embodiments, the movable fascia 170 each have a length that
is
26 different from the length of the fixed fascia 180, and as shown for
example in FIG. 1A and 3A-D,
27 the movable fascia 170 and the fixed fascia 180 can have the same
profile and angular
28 relationship (relative to the lower surface 114 of the tabletop 110)
when arranged in the displayed
29 orientation so as to provide a selected aesthetic appearance that is
similarly presented along all
sides of the table apparatus 100. Additionally, in some optional embodiments,
the vertical
CPST Doc: 356608.1 7
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 portions 132 of the fixed legs 130 and the vertical portions 152 of the
movable legs 150 can have
2 the same non-circular shape in a horizontal cross-section, which can also
provide a selective
3 aesthetic appearance that is similar presented along all sides of the
table apparatus 100 is in the
4 operative position. For example, as shown is FIGS. 1A-C and FIGS. 3A-B,
the vertical portions
132 of the fixed legs 130 and the vertical portions 152 of the movable legs
150 can have a
6 rounded isosceles triangular form in a horizontal cross-section, in which
the smaller rounded end
7 is oriented outwardly toward the respective corner of the tabletop 110
when the table apparatus
8 100 is in the operative position (and in which the larger, flatter end of
the cross-section shape is
9 opposite from the smaller rounded end).
Still referring to FIGS. 1A-C, the adjustable table apparatus 100 can be
configured to
11 safely shift between the operative position (FIG. 1A) and the collapsed
position (FIGS. 1B-1C)
12 by a single user during rearrangement. As described in more detail below
in connection with
13 3A-7B, the single user can individually shift a first movable leg 150
outwardly away from the
14 other movable leg 150 while the tabletop 110 remains in its horizontal
orientation and is
supported by three legs (the fixed legs 130 and the other movable leg 150). By
pivoting the first
16 movable leg 150, the movable fascia 170 adjacent to the first movable
leg 150 can automatically
17 adjust to its collapsed orientation without manual manipulation by the
user. Similarly, the single
18 user can individually shift the second movable leg 150 outwardly away
from the first movable
19 leg 150. In doing so, the tabletop 110 may slowly begin to pivot away
from its horizontal
position while under the control of (optional) gas pistons 116 that dampen the
lowering
21 movement of the tabletop. Optionally, the single user may advantageously
use a single arm/hand
22 to individually shift the second movable leg 150 outwardly away from the
first movable leg 150
23 while using a second hand/arm to grip the tabletop 110, thereby further
controlling the lower of
24 the tabletop 110 from its horizontal orientation to its vertical
orientation. Again, by pivoting the
second movable leg 150, the movable fascia 170 adjacent to the second movable
leg 150 can
26 automatically adjust to its collapsed orientation without manual
manipulation by the user. After
27 the single user has shifted the movable legs 150 outwardly away from one
another and the
28 tabletop 110 is adjusted from its horizontal orientation to its vertical
orientation, the fixed legs
29 130 and the movable legs 150 can be advantageously arranged to provide
stability and balance
for the tabletop 110 while the user is transporting or storing the table
apparatus 110. For
CPST Doc: 356608.1 8
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 example, when the table apparatus is in the collapsed position, the
multiple-bend swing arm 154
2 (e.g., a dual-bend swing arm 154 in the depicted embodiment) of each
movable leg 150 arranges
3 the vertical leg portions 152 to be positioned on one side of the
tabletop 110 (e.g., forward of the
4 upper surface 112) while fixed vertical leg portions 132 of the fixed
legs 130 are positioned on
an opposite side of the tabletop 110 (e.g., rearward of the lower surface
114). That way, the
6 center of mass of the tabletop 110 (and in this case, the mass centroid
of the table apparatus 100)
7 is positioned between the four legs 130, 150 extending to the floor.
Finally, the single user can
8 optionally position the table apparatus 100 (when in the collapsed
position) in a nested
9 arrangement with other similar table apparatuses 100' (FIGS. 1B-1C). For
example, the movable
legs 150 of the table apparatus 100 can be swung to their respective outer
positions (when the
11 table apparatus 100 is in the collapsed position) to provide sufficient
clearance for the fixed legs
12 of another neighboring table apparatus 100' when such table apparatuses
100, 100' are nested
13 together during storage. Optionally, each table apparatus 100 can be
equipped with one or more
14 buffers 105, which can serve as spacers to prevent the fixed legs 130 of
the table apparatus 100
from contacting (and possibly damaging) an upper surface of a tabletop of an
adjacent table
16 apparatus 100' in the nested configuration.
17 Referring now to FIGS. 2A-B, the movable legs 150 can be shifted from
a first position
18 (FIG. 2A) to a second position (FIG. 2B) so as to provide clearance for
the tabletop 110 to adjust
19 from the operative position to the collapsed position. As previously
described, each movable leg
150 can be pivoted about its corresponding vertical axis 155, which is this
embodiment is
21 defined by a hinged connection between the movable leg 150 and the
support beam 135. The
22 action of pivoting the each movable leg 150 outwardly away from the
first position (FIG. 2A) to
23 the second position (FG. 2B) causes the swing arm 154 to move in a
horizontal plane (e.g., a
24 plane that, in this embodiment, extends parallel to the tabletop hinge
axis 115) and thereby
engage the adjacent fascia 170 and drive the movable fascia 170 to its
collapsed orientation
26 along the underside of the tabletop 110.
27 After the movable legs 150 are adjusted to the second position, the
tabletop 110 can be
28 shifted from the operative position (FIG. 2A) to the collapsed position
(FIG. 2B) by pivoting the
29 tabletop 110 about the table top hinge axis 115. In this embodiment, the
tabletop hinge axis 115
is defined by a two hinge assemblies 117 mounted to the lower side 114 of the
tabletop 110 and
CPST Doc: 356608.1 9
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 the support beam 135. As previously described, one or more gas pistons
116 can be optionally
2 employed (e.g., mounted proximate to the hinge assemblies 117 in this
embodiment) to dampen
3 the movement of the tabletop 110 between the operative position and the
collapsed position.
4 Optionally, the lower ends of the vertical leg portions 132 of the fixed
legs 130 can be equipped
with lockable rollers 139, and the lower ends of the vertical leg portions 152
of the movable legs
6 150 can be equipped with lockable rollers 159, all of which can
facilitate transport of the table
7 apparatus along the ground surface.
8 Referring to FIG. 2B, wherein the tabletop 110 is arranged in the
collapsed position such
9 that the upper surface 112 of the table top extends in a vertical
orientation (refer also to FIGS.
1B-1C), the pair of fixed legs 130 are positioned on a first side of a
vertical plane along the upper
11 surface 112 of the tabletop 110 while the pair of vertical leg portions
152 of the movable legs
12 150 remain on a second (opposite) side of the vertical plane along the
upper surface 112 of the
13 table top 110. As such, when the tabletop 110 is shifted to the
collapsed position (FIG. 2B), the
14 table apparatus 100 can safely maintain its center of mass between the
four vertical leg portions
152 and 132 that extend to the ground, thereby permitting a user to readily
transport or store the
16 table apparatus 100 in the collapsed position while reducing the
likelihood of inadvertently
17 tipping or unbalancing the table apparatus 100.
18 In the depicted embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2B, such benefits can be
achieved by
19 maintaining the tabletop hinge axis 115 in a relative location between
the vertical leg portions
132 of the fixed legs 130 and the pair of vertical leg portions 152 of the
movable legs 150 both
21 when the table apparatus 100 is in the operative position (FIG. 2A) and
the collapsed position
22 (FIG. 2B). For example, in both positions depicted in FIGS. 2A-2B, the
vertical leg portions 132
23 of the pair of fixed legs 130 are positioned on a first side of a
vertical plane extending through
24 the tabletop hinge axis 115 while the vertical leg portions 152 of the
pair of movable legs 150
consistently remain on a second (opposite) side of the vertical plane
extending through the
26 tabletop hinge axis 115. As described above, each movable leg 150 can
include the swing arm
27 154 with multiple bends along its length in the horizontal plane, which
operate to maintain the
28 vertical leg portion 152 of the movable leg 150 on its corresponding
side of the vertical plane
29 through the tabletop hinge axis 115 throughout all parts of its movement
path (when transitioning
between the operative position and the collapsed position). For example, in
the embodiment
CPST Doc: 356608.1 10
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 depicted in FIGS. 2A-B, the swing arm 154 of each movable leg 150
includes a dual-bend
2 configuration providing the shape and structure to act upon the adjacent
movable fascia 170
3 (described above), the shape and structure to provide the desired
orientation and aesthetic
4 appearance for the vertical leg portion 152 (including providing a
symmetric orientation relative
to the vertical leg portion 132 of the neighboring fixed leg 130), and the
shape and structure to
6 maintain the adjoining vertical leg portion 152 on the second side of the
vertical plane through
7 the tabletop hinge axis 115 throughout all parts of its movement path
(while the vertical leg
8 portion 132 of the neighboring fixed leg 130 remains on the first side of
the vertical plane).
9 Referring again to FIG. 2A, the multiple-bend swing arm 154 of each
movable leg 150
can extend longitudinally in a horizontal plane between the vertical axis 155
of the movable leg
11 150 and the vertical leg portion 152. For example, the swing arm 154 in
this embodiment is
12 depicted as horizontal dual-bend swing arm. Such a dual-bend swing arm
154 can include a first
13 arm segment 156 extending longitudinally in the horizontal plane (e.g.,
a plane perpendicular to
14 the vertical leg portion 152) away from its corresponding vertical axis
155 and toward a first
bend in the horizontal plane. The swing arm 154 also includes a second arm
segment 157 that
16 extends longitudinally in the horizontal plane away from the first bend
and toward a second bend
17 in the horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the first bend directs the
length of the swing arm
18 154 to transition in a direction toward a long edge of the tabletop 110
depicted in FIG. 2A, and
19 the second arm segment 157 then extends longitudinally in a direction
perpendicular to the long
edge of the tabletop 110 (and parallel to a short edge of the tabletop 110 in
this embodiment). As
21 shown in FIG. 2A, the second arm segment 157 extends behind (and
adjacent to) the movable
22 fascia 170 in a direction that is parallel to a hinged fascia axis 175
(refer to FIG. 3D). The swing
23 arm 154 also includes a third arm segment 158 extending longitudinally
in the horizontal plane
24 away from the second bend and toward the adjoining vertical leg portion
152 (which extends
vertically toward the ground surface). In this embodiment, the second bend
directs the length of
26 the swing arm 154 to transition in a direction toward a corresponding
corner of the tabletop 110
27 depicted in FIG. 2A such that the third arm segment 158 then extends
longitudinally in a
28 direction toward the corner (and, as detailed below, at an angle "A"
relative to the tabletop hinge
29 axis 115 that is mirrored by the fixed arm segment 138 of the
neighboring fixed leg 130 depicted
in FIG. 2A). As described in more detail below, some implementations of the
multiple-bend
CPST Doc: 356608.1 11
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 swing arm 154 can be configured such that each of the first arm segment
156, the second arm
2 segment 157, and the third arm segment 158 can contact the adjacent
movable fascia 170 during
3 the pivoting motion of the movable leg 150 about its respective vertical
axis 155.
4 Still referring to FIG. 2A, each of the fixed legs 130 may optionally
include a fixed
horizontal arm 138 extending from the support beam 135 in a direction
generally away from the
6 tabletop hinge axis 115. The fixed horizontal arm 138 extends
longitudinally in the horizontal
7 plane to the adjoining fixed vertical leg portion 132 of the fixed leg
130. The fixed horizontal
8 arm 138 may have a longitudinal axis oriented at an angle "A" relative to
the tabletop hinge axis
9 115. Accordingly, when the table apparatus 100 is in the operative
position (FIG. 2A; refer also
to FIG. 1A and 3B), the third arm segment 158 of the swing arm 154 of each
movable leg 150
11 extends longitudinally in the horizontal plane along its longitudinal
axis oriented at the same first
12 angle "A" relative to the tabletop hinge axis 115 in a manner that
mirrors the angle "A" defined
13 by the longitudinal axis of the fixed horizontal arm 138 of the
neighboring fixed leg 130. Such a
14 configuration can achieve a desired symmetry and aesthetic appearance
for all of the fixed
vertical leg portions 132 and the movable vertical leg portions 152, even in
optional
16 configurations where the vertical leg portions 132 and 152 all have a
non-circular cross-sectional
17 shape (in a horizontal cross-section) as shown by way of example in
FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 3B.
18 Referring now to FIGS. 3A-D, 4A-B, 5A-B, and 6A-B and 7A-B, a method
of using the
19 table apparatus 100 can include adjusting the table apparatus 100 from
its operative position and
is collapsed position (and vice versa). For example, as described above, a
single user can
21 individually shift one of the movable legs 150 outwardly away from the
other movable leg 150
22 while the tabletop 110 remains in its horizontal orientation and is
supported by three legs (the
23 fixed legs 130 and the other movable leg 150). By pivoting the first
movable leg 150, the
24 movable fascia 170 adjacent to the first movable leg 150 can
automatically adjust to its collapsed
orientation without manual manipulation by the user. FIGS. 4A-B depict each of
the movable
26 legs 150 being adjusted outwardly to automatically shift the adjacent
movable fascia 170 to the
27 collapsed position, but it should be recognized from the description
herein that a single user can
28 opt to adjust each movable leg 150 one at a time. In either option, both
movable legs 150 can
29 adjusted outwardly away from one another until both movable legs 150 are
arranged as depicted
in FIGS. 5A-B. From there, the user can guide the tabletop 110 to pivot away
from its horizontal
CPST Doc: 356608.1 12
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 position (refer to FIGS. 5A-B) while optionally under the dampening
effect of the gas pistons
2 116 to provide for a slow, controlled lowering movement of the tabletop
110 (refer to FIGS. 6A-
3 B and 7A-B). As detailed above, the single user may optionally use a
single arm/hand to grip the
4 tabletop 110, thereby further controlling the lower of the tabletop 110
from its horizontal
orientation to its vertical orientation. After the single user has shifted the
movable legs 150
6 outwardly away from one another and the tabletop 110 is adjusted from its
horizontal orientation
7 to its vertical orientation (refer to FIGS. 7A-B), the fixed legs 130 and
the movable legs 150 can
8 be advantageously arranged to provide stability and balance for the
tabletop 110 while the user is
9 transporting or storing the table apparatus 110. As detailed above, when
the table apparatus is in
the collapsed position depicted in FIGS. 7A-B, the multiple-bend swing arm 154
(e.g., a dual-
11 bend swing arm 154 in the depicted embodiment) of each movable leg 150
arranges the vertical
12 leg portions 152 to be positioned on one side of the tabletop 110 (e.g.,
forward of the upper
13 surface 112 in this embodiment) while fixed vertical leg portions 132 of
the fixed legs 130 are
14 positioned on an opposite side of the tabletop 110 (e.g., rearward of
the lower surface 114 in this
embodiment). As such, the center of mass of the tabletop 110 (and in this
case, the mass centroid
16 of the table apparatus 100) is positioned between the four legs 130 and
150 while the vertical leg
17 portions 132 and 152 extend to the ground surface to provide stable
support during transport and
18 storage. Also, as detailed above, the multiple-bend swing arm 154 of
each movable leg 150 can
19 advantageously provide a cavity or space between the vertical leg
portions 152 (forward of the
upper surface 112 of the tabletop 110 depicted in the FIG. 7B (in the
collapsed position)) that is
21 configured to receive other similar table apparatuses 100' (FIGS. 1B-1C)
in a nested
22 arrangement, thereby further enhancing the storage benefits achieved by
the table apparatus 100.
23 Optionally, each table apparatus 100 and 100' can be equipped with one
or more buffers 105,
24 which can serve as spacers to prevent the fixed legs 130 of one table
apparatus from contacting
(and possibly damaging) an upper surface of a tabletop of an adjacent table
apparatus in the
26 nested configuration.
27 Referring in more detail to FIGS. 3A-D, the movable fascia 170 of the
table apparatus
28 100 can be hingedly mounted to an underside of the tabletop 110 so that
such fascia 170 can be
29 individually adjusted between a displayed orientation (FIGS. 3B and 3D)
and a collapsed
orientation (FIGS. 4A-B and 5A-B). In some embodiments, the displayed
orientation of the
CPST Doc: 356608.1 13
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 movable fascia 170 can be angled relative to the lower surface 114 of the
tabletop 110 in a
2 manner similar to the fixed orientation of the fixed fascia 180. The
orientation of the movable
3 fascia 170 and fixed fascia 180 fascia can be advantageously selected to
provide aesthetic
4 appearance suitable, for example, as a formal conference table while also
concealing some
mechanical components (e.g., the gas springs 116, the hinge assemblies 117,
the support beam
6 130, arm segments 156 and 157 of each movable leg 150, and other
hardware) and avoiding
7 interference with users' legs during use. For example, as shown in FIG.
3C, the movable fascia
8 170 can be oriented to extend from the lower surface 114 of the tabletop
110 at a slanted angle
9 toward the central region of the underside of the tabletop 110 (e.g.,
toward the swing arm 154) so
that the outer face of the movable fascia 170 is oriented at an angle
outwardly away from the
11 lower surface 114 of the table and away from the first arm segment 156
of the swing arm 154. It
12 should be understood from the description herein that, in some
embodiments, the swing arm 154
13 of each movable leg may be slightly spaced apart from the lower surface
114 of the tabletop 100
14 by a clearance gap (such as, for example, a clearance of 2mm to lOmm,
and preferably about
5mm), which is not depicted in the view in FIG. 3C without further
magnification. The
16 clearance gap may be selected to be slightly greater than a thickness of
the movable fascia 170,
17 and as such, the clearance gap can be used to provide sufficient space
for the swing arm 154 of
18 the movable leg 150 to slide over the movable fascia 170 while the
fascia 170 is in the collapsed
19 orientation (FIGS. 4A-B and 5A-B). In such embodiments, the movable leg
150 can be
configured to engaged with a mating surface proximate the ends of the fixed
fascia 180 (when in
21 the operative position of FIG. 2A) to thereby mechanically support the
tabletop 110 even when
22 the swing arm 154 is spaced apart from the lower surface 114 by the
clearance gap.
23 As shown in FIG. 3D, the movable fascia 170 can be spring biased away
from the lower
24 surface 114 of the tabletop 110 and toward the displayed orientation.
For example, the movable
fascia 170 can include a hinged connection to the lower surface 114 of the
tabletop 110 which
26 includes a bias spring 174 mounted along the fascia hinge axis 175. The
bias spring 174 can
27 urge the moveable fascia 170 to return to the displayed orientation
(FIGS. 3A-D) when the
28 movable leg 150 is maintained in the position shown in FIG. 3A (where
that the swing arm 154
29 is not swung outwardly to drive the movable fascia toward the collapsed
orientation depicted in
FIGS. 4A-B and 5A-B). Accordingly, as detailed above, each movable fascia 170
can be
CPST Doc: 356608.1 14
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
CA Application
CPST Ref: 40350/00001
1 adjusted from the displayed orientation to the collapsed orientation in
response to a pivoting
2 motion of the adjacent movable leg 150 outwardly away from the other
movable leg 150.
3 Likewise, when the adjacent movable leg 150 is pivoted inwardly toward
the position shown in
4 FIG. 3A (e.g., motion away from an outer position like that of FIG. 4A
toward the position of
FIG. 3A), the movable leg 150 no longer compels the movable fascia to its
collapsed orientations
6 that the bias spring 174 acts upon the movable fascia 170 to urge the
movable fascia 170 toward
7 its displayed orientation.
8 Accordingly, when the table apparatus 100 is in its operative
position, the outwardly
9 facing surfaces of the movable fascia 170 and the fixed fascia 180 are
displayed in an orientation
below the lower surface 114 of the tabletop 110 in a manner that provides a
selected appearance
11 and to at least partially conceal from (upper or side views) other
mechanical components of the
12 table apparatus 100 arranged between the fascia 170 and 180 along the
underside of the tabletop
13 110. As depicted in the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3D, the movable fascia
170 each have a length
14 that is different from the length of the fixed fascia 180, yet in some
implementations, the
movable fascia 170 and the fixed fascia 180 can have the same profile and
angular relationship
16 (relative to the lower surface 114 of the tabletop 110) when arranged in
the displayed orientation
17 so as to provide an appearance that is similarly presented along all
sides of the table apparatus
18 100. In some alternative embodiments, the movable fascia 170 need not be
hingedly mounted to
19 the lower surface 114 of the tabletop 110. For example, the movable
fascia 170 can be
magnetically mounted to the lower surface 114 of the tabletop 110 (using
magnets inlaid along
21 the bottom surface 114 or along a horizontal panel of the movable
fascia) so that the fascia is
22 magnetically retained in the displayed orientation. In such embodiments,
the movable fascia 170
23 can slide away from the displayed orientation in response to movement of
the swing arms 154 of
24 the movable legs 150 (or otherwise manually removed by a user) and
grasped by the user for
repositioning in a storage location.
26 A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be
understood that
27 various modifications may be made without departing from the claim scope
herein. Accordingly,
28 other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
CPST Doc: 356608.1 15
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-05-12
